less chaos, and substitutes have better morale overall because of it.” She added that drivers love the ability to keep track
of riders. “They always know which kids are at which stops,” she said. “They can find out if the wrong kids at a stop or they can call it in if someone’s new.” Fliter said she also likes the way tablets keep parents
informed, letting her staff know how far the bus is from the stop and supporting the use of update messages. “The technology has been wonderful for us overall, not
only for drivers but also for parents,” she said. “As long as they know where their kids are, they’re happy.”
Succeeding With New Tech Implementing new technology can be an imposing
process, but the results will invariably be worth the effort as well as the financial investment. It might be expensive up front, but don’t be afraid to invest in the right technology, Fliter said. “Think of the
morale boost once you get through that learning curve,” she added. When considering any upgrade, Paxton recommended
communicating with other leaders about what technology steps they have taken and then adjusting to local needs. “By sharing our experience with other school dis-
tricts, we’ve been able to make better decisions about what types of technology we want to explore,” he said. “However, we have always done what’s right for our district and students in the end.” He said leaders need to make their own decisions, but having a large network of people committed to the safety of students can provide valuable insights into best practices. In the process, a patient approach works best. “Have patience when implementing,” Boyd advised.
“You will have so many ups and downs, with obstacles from staff and the general public. But stay with the course, and the final result will be the reward of the department’s efficiency and that moment of wow, we did this.” ●
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MIDWESTBUSSALES.COM 913-382-7302 68 School Transportation News • SEPTEMBER 2025
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